Deep River - Wings over Jordan Choir.wmv

My mother (1922-2002), Hazel Lee Johnson (maiden name) both sang and recruited for the Wings over Jordan Choir during WWII. This song, Deep River is one of my favorites and the sounds of their voices, while ghostly for this song, penetrate the depths of the soul.

Lyrics:

Deep River,
My home is over Jordan.
Deep River Lord.

I want to cross over into campground.

Deep River.
My home is over Jordan.
Deep River, Lord,
I want to cross over into campground

Oh, don't you want to go,
To the gospel feast.
That promised land,
Where all, is peace.

Oh, deep River, Lord,
I want to cross over into campground.

About Deep River: Deep River" is an anonymous spiritual of African American origin. It has been sung in several films, including the 1929 film version of Show Boat, although it was not used in the original show.[1] The melody was also adapted into the popular song "Dear Old Southland", in 1921.

Deep River is sung as the closing spiritual in Michael Tippett's oratorio, A Child of Our Time. (In addition to the WOJ, other famous singers who have performed and recorded this song included Paul Robson in "Show Boat" and Marian Anderson).

More about WOJ: The WINGS OVER JORDAN CHOIR (WOJC), a prominent African American choir during the late 1930s and early 1940s, made broadcast history with the first independently produced national and international radio programs created by AFRICAN AMERICANS. The group made contributions to choral music and the improvement of race relations. The choir was founded in 1935 by the Rev. GLENN T. SETTLE†, pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church on E. 30th and Scovill Ave. in Cleveland. Rev. Settle believed in using Negro spirituals to spread Christianity. He promoted establishing a radio program to address the Negro community and introduce the non-Negro to the Negro experience. In 1937, the ensemble performed weekly on the "Negro Hour" over RADIO station WGAR, a CBS affiliate. It soon became a hit.

The Wings Over Jordan Choir, ca. 1940s. WRHS.- On 9 Jan. 1938 the group adopted the name Wings Over Jordan Choir and national broadcasting began. WOJC performed a decade long series of weekly, sometimes daily, programs for CBS and WGAR exclusively. WOJC was the first full-time professional black choir in America. At its height, the choir performed before sold-out, non-segregated audiences in over 40 states, 5 European countries, Canada, and Mexico. During WORLD WAR II, under USO sponsorship, WOJC toured Army camps in Europe. WOJC's fame resulted in the publication of a songbook and record album, a movie contract, performances with major symphony orchestras, and an invitation to sing at the White House. The choir received numerous honors, including radio's prestigious Peabody Award. It was instrumental in preserving authentic Negro spirituals and became the universal voice of American Negroes.

Information on the WOJ: The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WOJC

Category:

Music

Tags:

• A Capella